Sunderland FC bid for Swansea City striker Danny Graham

SUNDERLAND have made a bid for Swansea City striker Danny Graham, according to reports.

SWANSEA CITY are considering a £4m bid from Premier League rivals Sunderland for want-away striker Danny Graham.

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill has made Graham his top transfer target and is confident of landing the 27-year-old, who is unsettled at Swansea having fallen out of favour under Michael Laudrup.

The Black Cats have began a mass clear-out of strikers currently in O’Neill’s squad in preparation for Graham’s arrival, with Fraizer Campbell on the verge of moving to Cardiff City and James McFadden likely to join Nottingham Forest on loan.

Veteran French forward Luis Saha has been told he is free to find another club while South Korean striker Ji Dong-Won has joined German outfit Augsburg on loan.

Sunderland feel Graham could be the man to help guide them away from a relegation scrap and the Gateshead-born striker is believed to be keen on a move back to his native north-east, but he may have to hand in a transfer request in order to secure a move.

The Swans were ready to listen to offers for the striker earlier in the season, but four goals in his last five appearances have forced a re-think at the Liberty Stadium.

Stats: Danny Graham's season so far

Earlier this month Graham admitted his was frustrated at his lack of opportunities at Swansea, saying: “As a footballer I want to be playing football.

“If that’s not the case and the meeting with the gaffer doesn’t go to plan then I’ll have to sit down and see what happens – see what offers are on the table.

“I’m 27, it’s a short career and I want to be playing games. This could be my last big move.

“I’m just trying to get on with it, keep my head down and work hard and we’ll see what happens in January.”

Graham’s possible departure could depend on Swansea’s ability to bring in a new striker in the transfer window.

Stoke’s Kenwyne Jones is believed to be Laudrup’s main target and reports suggest the Swans have had a £3m bid turned down for the 28-year-old.

Potters boss Tony Pulis was coy about the possible switch when quizzed on the move yesterday, insisting he would not talk about any deal until it was completed.

Swansea may have to pay upwards of £4.5m for Jones, who cost Stoke a then-club record £8m from Sunderland two-and-a-half years ago.

The Trinidadian is due to lead the line for Stoke against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow and has enjoyed something of a renaissance this season.

Jones has rediscovered his form in front of goal in recent months after stepping in for first-choice striker Peter Crouch, who has been ruled out since breaking several teeth in the home win over Newcastle on November 28.

He had gone more than a year without a goal but has hit four goals in his last eight appearances, including a header in Tuesday night’s comprehensive FA Cup win over Crystal Palace.

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